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SBIR and STTR funding can accelerate the transformation of the existing science discovery into technology ready for commercial attention.

Mid-term (5-10-Year) Transition Opportunities

Those areas where an investment in nanoscience holds the promise for paradigm-breaking approaches to detection/protection/neutralization with commercial product transition in the 5-10 year timeframe include the following:

Investment in the science base long-term is believed to be important for ultimate integration of many components into a complex system (e.g., sensor suites) and for providing sufficient insights into a complex system (e.g., cell and spore physiology) to enable innovative technologies. Examples include

• Laboratory on a chip — incorporation of multiple separation and detection technologies at submicron scales on a single chip in order to obtain inexpensive, rapid detection technology with low false positive/negative events

• Cell-based sensing — development of sensing technology that responds to unknown new threats by measuring the response of living systems that can mimic human biochemistry

• Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) — extension of the MEMS technologies another three orders smaller in order to incorporate significantly more capability